Self-Care Summer: A Connection to Each Moment
by Tiffany Renner, LMSW
What is self-care? As social workers, we talk about self-care and desire to practice it often. However; it turns into something we do on occasion, so the daily vicarious trauma we endure, we will survive another day. What we don’t consistently talk about is what self-care could do for our body, mind, soul, as well as that in others. The connection of daily mindfulness is an area taken for granted and then promised to embrace later.
When mindfulness occurs, a connection happens to each moment, allowing that moment to make a mark on your journey - a journey you share with others. And the mark perpetuates. For social workers to use mindfulness and be present with connection not only allows for self-care, but also allows for self-awareness into daily dealings of a very challenging job - to squeeze more out of every minute in our quest to help others.
Social workers are trained in helping others achieve balance. However, research demonstrates we are not as skilled in achieving balance in our own lives. Mindfulness connects the balance between helping others and helping ourselves. What does that balanced perspective feel like? Can we answer that question for our clients? It is scary to embrace change, especially for the people we serve. Modeling connectedness to moments brings others to brave their moments themselves in the simplest of ways. Many assume mindfulness is too simple or not simple enough. Either way, to fully embrace connection to oneself is to be aware of life’s beginnings and endings throughout time. Forget being perfect or if it is done right. Be present in your moments, so you can do the same for others.
Some social work systems don’t allow this to be embraced, not because of lack of awareness of its benefit, but instead lack of time and bureaucracy scripting how to serve. The script of our social work values, at times, takes second place to politics and budgets. Serving others cannot be done on a timetable, policy, or law; it can only be done with balance between all the needs - the agency, the social worker, and the population served. Mindfulness can awaken all systems.
I challenge others to sense and discern their day, and simply mindfully notice how others benefit. Today, as I wake, I smell the air from summer to fall. The breeze from the open windows touches my shoulders as I rise, I feel the stubbly carpet as I press my feet on the floor. There is mere pleasure that threads throughout my body as I look forward to the coffee I am about to surrender. As I walk, I feel the change from stubbly carpet to cold smooth wood on my feet, and I realize my first few steps of the day are light - not heavy as the day before. I feel my limbs begin to awaken, some with soreness from life. I approach the day with calm amid chaos, and I consider the green eyes of my daughter. I see every beautiful gold speck that shines as she looks at me.
What do you notice?
Tiffany Renner, LMSW, is an assistant professor at Lewis-Clark State College in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. She is a licensed social worker in the state of Idaho.